Sarasota courthouse among nation's top civic buildings

Civic buildings can be among the most overlooked structures across America, and often for good reason. 

To find the country’s most underrated civic buildings, LovevsDesign.com, a custom wallpaper website, commissioned a nationwide survey to which 3,014 respondents nominated those in their state they consider beautiful yet not celebrated for their history, craftsmanship and architectural personality.

Coming in at No.10, and one of only two so recognized in Florida, is the Sarasota County Courthouse at 2000 Main St.

Of the building, the website wrote, “This courthouse is a standout of Mediterranean Revival design, with sun-washed stucco walls, terracotta accents and a slender tower that rises gracefully above the complex. … A handsome reminder of Sarasota’s artistic heritage that rarely gets the recognition it deserves.”

In the rankings, the Sarasota County Courthouse followed, in order, Hot Springs National Park Administration Building, Hot Springs, Arkansas; Wailuku Public Library, Wailuku, Hawaii’; Museum of Art Fort Collins, Fort Collins, Colorado; Old Fayette County Courthouse, Lexington, Kentucky; Clark County Courthouse, Vancouver, Washington; New Castle Courthouse Museum, New Castle, Delaware; Riverside County Historic Courthouse, Riverside, California; and Pueblo County Courthouse, Pueblo, Colorado.

The courthouse was joined on the list by one other Florida civic structure, Tampa City Hall at No. 34.

To view the entire report, visit LovevsDesign.com.